Providence College Podcast

In this second episode of a two-part series of the Providence College Podcast with Sam Lopes, women’s soccer coach, and graduate assistant and former player, Bridget Hillsman ’17, we take a deep dive into the post-concussion syndrome that stopped Hillsman’s collegiate soccer career before it formally began. Her symptoms nearly caused her to leave PC, but instead, Hillsman became a valuable member of the team. We also discuss the three pillars of Lopes’ coaching philosophy, how the coaching staff will approach preseason, and his thoughts on the 2017-18 season.

In this episode of the Providence College Podcast, we are joined by Sam Lopes, women’s soccer coach, and graduate assistant and former player, Bridget Hillsman ’17. We take a deep dive into the post-concussion syndrome that stopped Hillsman’s collegiate soccer career before it formally began. Her symptoms nearly caused her to leave PC, but instead, Hillsman became a valuable member of the team. We also discuss the three pillars of Lopes’ coaching philosophy, how the coaching staff will approach preseason, and his thoughts on the 2017-18 season.

In January 2017, Dr. Adrian Chastain Weimer, associate professor of history, published "Elizabeth Hooton and the Lived Politics of Toleration in Massachusetts Bay" in the prestigious William and Mary Quarterly. She quickly followed that professional achievement by earning two National Endowment for the Humanities grants that will enable her to spend the 2017-18 academic year doing research for an upcoming book entitled, “Godly Petitions: Puritanism and the Crisis of the Restoration in America.” We discuss these topics, while also taking a deep dive into her research and writing process, in this episode of the Providence College Podcast.

Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, & ’05Hon., a versatile basketball commentator, has covered the sport for ESPN since 1991. Her assignments include the NBA and men’s and women’s college basketball — both the regular season and the NCAA Championships. Burke joins the podcast to discuss her rise to the top of her profession and her methodical approach to success, as well as the NBA debut of Kris Dunn ‘16. We are re-airing this episode in light of Burke’s recent accomplishments. She was lauded by nearly every sports media outlet for her coverage of the NBA Finals, named a 2017 Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Woman of the Year, and appointed to the Providence College Board of Trustees.

This week a trailblazer in college hockey joins us. In the fall, Theresa Feaster ’14 & ‘16G, coordinator of Providence College Men's Ice Hockey operations, became one of the first two women to serve as full-time members of an NCAA Division I men’s hockey coaching staff. In this episode, Feaster details how her father, National Hockey League executive Jay Feaster, introduced her to the sport at the age of 3 when he worked in various NHL front offices. Growing up around the game provided Theresa Feaster with the foundation to be a valuable contributor to an experienced coaching staff at a young age. We also discuss her current role, which includes video breakdown, scouting, and advanced statistical analysis.

In this episode of the Providence College Podcast, David O’Connor '14 shares how his family, and the loss of his father at a young age, shaped his focus on community service and faith. O’Connor has helped people in need all over the globe through Habitat for Humanity, Providence College’s Father Smith Fellowship, and Global Service Learning courses through PC's Feinstein Institute for Public Service, with the help of international travel grants from Santander Bank. . O’Connor is currently working with Habitat for Humanity and the International Institute of Rhode Island while earning his master’s degree in theology and ministry at Boston College. O'Connor also discusses his new venture, JaamRek, which supports the St. Martin de Porres Development Project run by Dominicans in South Africa. Learn more about the fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/events/1590348190999360/?ti=icl.

Dr. Seann P. Mulcahy, associate professor of chemistry, has made a lasting impact in his five short years at Providence College. Mulcahy has successfully balanced his student-centric approach to teaching and mentoring with a prolific string of grants, including his most recent award, a $191,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. We also discuss his background, teaching philosophy, and how he connects with his students.

This episode of the Providence College Podcast features two staff members who play central roles in identifying and shaping each freshman class at PC. Amy Cembor, senior associate dean of admission, discusses the makeup of the incoming freshman class, their median test scores and grade point averages, where they come from, and how they were selected. Leslie Heller ’02, director of orientation, transitions, and leadership, provides insight into what each incoming freshman, and their family, can expect during the orientation process, move-in day, and the first six weeks of freshman year.

In this episode, Phoebee Jean ’19 discusses how she is using her time at Providence College to impact campus culture positively and to bring attention to social justice issues at the College and in the City of Providence. Jean was recently named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact and we talk about what this honor means to her and what she has planned for the upcoming year.

Enjoy these highlights of Commencement Weekend 2017 — the inspiring Commencement address presented by Roy Peter Clark ’70 & ‘17Hon., the moving homily by College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 at Saturday’s Commencement Mass, the class oration at the Academic Awards Ceremony on Saturday by Victoria Timmel ’17, who shares the valedictorian honor with Lauren Berolini ’17 and Jack Ricci ’17, and the student address at Commencement by Gretchen M. Barrett ’17, the senior class president.

In this episode, Pedro Alemán ’17 details his path from a first-generation college student 3,000 miles from home to one of Providence College’s most respected student leaders. Alemán said becoming a resident assistant was a turning point in his college career. Alemán provides advice for college students everywhere, and from any background, who are having a difficult time navigating college life.

In this episode, we are joined by women’s ice hockey goalie Alanna Serviss ’18. Serviss discusses her battle with depression, anxiety, and ADHD as she progressed from being the only hockey player — of either gender — at her high school to becoming an athlete at a Division I school. Serviss is also raising awareness and funds through her work with the PC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Providence Center, a mental health provider.

Michael Gilmor ’17, a biochemistry major from Huntington, N.Y., was selected by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program to travel to Poland. He will teach English to college students through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program. In this episode, Gilmor details the steps he took to earn this prestigious honor and his unique PC experience, which includes Habitat for Humanity and the Board of Programmers.

Cayleigh Griffin ‘14 is the team reporter for the San Antonio Spurs on the team’s social and digital platforms. She also works on FOX Sports Southwest broadcasts doing in-game hits, halftime pieces, and pre-game work for the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Stars, and the San Antonio Rampage. Prior to working for the Spurs, Cayleigh was an on-air correspondent and digital assistant for the BIG EAST from 2014-2016. In this episode, she discusses her job, the hard work it took to get the role, and her approach to social media. You can follow Cayleigh and the Spurs on Twitter: twitter.com/cayleighgriffin.

Dr. Abigail T. Brooks is assistant professor of sociology and director of the Women’s Studies Program at Providence College. In this episode, we discuss her new book The Ways Women Age: Using and Refusing Cosmetic Intervention, a story of how and why some women choose to use, while others refuse, anti-aging practices.

Emily Sisson ’14 is a Friar legend. After transferring to Providence College to train under Coach Ray Treacy ’82, Emily helped lead the women's cross country team to the 2013 NCAA Championship, set an NCAA Division 1 record in the 5,000-meter run in indoor track, and won NCAA titles in the 5,000 twice — in indoor and outdoor track. During her cross country and track career, she earned both All-America and all-conference honors 11 times. Already in 2017, Emily has produced the fourth fastest indoor 5000-meter time (15:02.10) and the fourth fastest half-marathon time (1:08.21) in U.S. history. In this episode, we discuss her recent professional success, what she has learned from mentors Molly Huddle and Kim Smith ‘05, and her ultimate running goal.

Ed Cooley, head men’s basketball coach, recently led the Friars to a fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and was named NABC District 5 Coach Of The Year. In this episode, he talks about this year’s team, how the season ended, the best players he has coached, and the best walk-on he has coached at PC.

Dr. Jennifer G. Illuzzi, associate professor of history, and Dr. Arthur P. Urbano Jr., associate professor of theology, discuss their research on the Jewish alumni who enrolled during Providence College’s early history. The College welcomed these students despite the prejudice they faced at other institutions. They also talk about the forthcoming documentary based on their work, "Sons of Providence: The Jewish History of Providence College, 1917-1965." Illuzzi and Urbano will present their findings and screen a preview of Sons of Providence at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in Harkins Hall’s Barnini Room.

Attention: if you had technical problems listening, please delete and re-download this episode. We apologize for the inconvenience. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Rick Battistoni, professor of political science and of public and community service studies and director of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service. Battistoni discusses his work with his Philanthropy course, the power of philanthropy, and how his students make an impact on society through public service.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jonathan L. Richardson, assistant professor of biology. Dr. Richardson discusses his research on the ways roads — and the rock salt we spread on them — affect the ecology of their surrounding habitats. We also talk about his research with students in the PC Conservation Lab, including their work on the migratory behavior of rats in El Salvador, Brazil, and New York City.